Reversible ratchet handle for socket wrench

ABSTRACT

A socket wrench handle with a reversible ratchet mechanism comprising a pair of U-shaped leaf springs to serve as pawls positioned on opposite sides of a ratchet wheel with a polygonal central opening and symmetrically shaped ratchet teeth and a tiltable reversing lever which can be swung into either one of its two terminal positions to disengage the one or the other of the two springs from the teeth of the ratchet wheel.

United States Patent Inventor Harvey A. Thomlsiu Northboro, Mass.

Appl. No. 799,421

Filed Feb. 14, 1969 Patented Aug. I0, I97] Assignee Lowell CorporationWorcester, Mass.

REVERSIBLE RATCHE'I' HANDLE FOR SOCKET WRENCH 5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

U.S. CL... 81/63.! int. Cl BZSb 13/46 FieldoiSeareh ..8l/63.l,58,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,394,623 7/l968 Kinakin81/58 X 2,202,402 5/1940 Rueb 8 H62 X 2,l0'l,5,68 2/l938 Haist 81/622,803,980 8/l957 Vogel 81/62 Primary Examiner -James L. Jones, Jr.Attorney-Norman S. Blodgett Patented Aug. 10, 1971 3,598,001

I NVENTOR.

G F|G.|

HARVEY A. THOMASIAN BY AORNEY REVERSIBLE RATCHET HANDLE ronsockEr WRENCHThe invention consists of a reversible ratchethandle for a socket wrenchin which the only movable-parts are a pair of U- shaped leaf springpawls, a ratchet wheel with a polygonal central opening andsymmetrically shaped ratchet teeth and a tiltable reversing lever whichcan be swung into either one of its two terminal positions to disengagethe one or the other of the two spring pawls from the teeth of theratchet wheel.

The invention will now be described more in detail with,

reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the wrench handle with the cover plate removed;and

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same.

The wrench consists of a handle I with a removable cover plate 2 andonly four relatively. movable .parts, namely the ratchet wheel 3, a pairof U-shaped leaf springs 4 to serve as selectively engageable pawls anda tiltable reversing lever 5 that can be swung into either one of itstwo-terminal positions to selectively disengage the one or the other ofthe two spring pawls from the teeth of the ratchet wheel whose teeth areof symmetrical shape so that they can be engaged at either side.

- Although the entire body portion of the handle can he made as oneintegral piece, it is preferable to make it in two pieces by providingit with a separately inserted recessed plate 6 to v theIeftor'rightreceive the relatively movable parts. The recessed plate 6has recessed portions to receive and guide the ratchet wheel 3, toreceive and retain the outer ends of the U-shaped springs 4 and toreceive and guide the reversing lever 5.'In addition to the recessedportions there is a raised portion 7 which acts as a pivot point for thereversing lever 5.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Thetrident'leverS, is pivoted on raised portion 7 and maintained underpressure by the inner prongs of leaf springs 4. When the handle of levcrSis moved to the right, it pivots on raised portion 7. is guided .on thelower curved surface of the recess in plate 6 and depresses the innerprong of the right spring 4 as shown in FIG. I. The ratchet wheel 3 isthen permitted to rotate to the left.

With the lever 5 in the central position, the inner prongs of thesprings 4 are both depressed and the ratchet wheel 3 is pennitted torotate freely in either direction.

Topermit controlled rotation of the ratchet wheel 3 to the right, thehandle of lever 5 is switched to the left.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modificationin order to adapt it to different usages and conditions and,accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within thisinvention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Iclaim: I. A reversible ratchet wrench comprising a handle, a bodyportion l, 6, a ratchet wheel 3 recessed in said body portion, saidratchet wheel having a polygonal socket-receiving opening in the centerthereof, a pair of U-shaped leaf springs defining spring pawls engagingthe teeth of the ratchet wheel on one side or the other, and a tiltablereversing lever 5 mounted in the body portion between the spring pawlsto selectively disengage either one of the spring pawls from the ratchetwheel.

2. The handle of claim I in which an inserted plate 6 is mounted in thebody portion to house the relatively movable Pans;

3. The handle of claim I further comprising a cover plate 2mountedinthebod portion.

4. The handle o claim 2 wherein said plate has recessed portions forreceivingsaid' ratchet wheel, the outer edges of saidrsp'rings and saidlever and a raised portion for pivoting said lever. I

S. The handle of claim 4, wherein said reversing lever has a tridentconfiguration consisting'of a central and two side fingers, eachside-finger engaging a spring pawl'to move it in or out ofratchet-engaging position.

1. A reversible ratchet wrench comprising a handle, a body portion 1, 6,a ratchet wheel 3 recessed in said body portion, said ratchet wheelhaving a polygonal socket-receiving opening in the center thereof, apair of U-shaped leaf springs defining spring pawls engaging the teethof the ratchet wheel on one side or the other, and a tiltable reversinglever 5 mounted in the body portion between the spring pawls toselectively disengage either one of the spring pawls from the ratchetwheel.
 2. The handle of claim 1 in which an inserted plate 6 is mountedin the body portion to house the relatively movable parts.
 3. The handleof claim 1 further comprising a cover plate 2 mounted in the bodyportion.
 4. The handle of claim 2 wherein said plate has recessedportions for receiving said ratchet wheel, the outer edges of saidsprings and said lever and a raised portion for pivoting said lever. 5.The handle of claim 4, wherein said reversing lever has a tridentconfiguration consisting of a central and two side fingers, each sidefinger engaging a spring pawl to move it in or out of ratchet-engagingposition.